Stan
Brock has had only moderate amounts of success
as a head coach, and those were all in the
professional ranks (Arena Football League).
His promotion in becoming the team’s
five-star leader can only be seen as a tenuous
roll of the dice, though, the Colorado-alum’s
prior three years here as OL coach give
continuity to the offensive proceedings.
Claims coming out of spring ball are that
Brock and his new OC, Tim Walsh, will keep
most of the plays and looks practiced under
ex-coach Bobby Ross. We fell it will take
little time for Walsh’s spread looks
to work and then become the norm here. If
it barely worked before with the same basic
formations and both starting QBs are returning,
then only improved execution could guarantee
a different result. If it weren’t
for the Cadet’s 62 point result against
(I-AA) VMI, their offense would have been
statistically ruined last year. Assuming
the usual two-star level of recruits won’t
mean much of a surge in the level of play,
expect the new offensive looks to be the
team’s only hope for improvement offensively.
WR Jeremy Trimble’s health is also
a major factor in whether Army can produce
more points/yards. The defense needs the
front seven to play up to its potential
to have a chance at holding most foes under
30 points. Last year, foes ran it with much
success, ergo, the reason that the Cadet
pass defense (based on yardage) ranked so
highly was because foes didn’t really
have to pass much. But their much weaker
defensive pass efficiency ranking reflects
how that area, too, needs help, so the four
senior returning starters buoy hopes for
the DBs to rebound. Special teams are one
area where Army has outright advantages.
Army was two yards away from starting 3-1
– their failure to score in the closing
minute when at the Texas A&M goal line
seemed to stem any hopes the Cadets had
of making 2006 special. Even at a promising
3-3, the Cadets then tanked six in a row,
and while that competition was their toughest
of the season (save A&M), this skid
is the volition in which the team now enters
2007. The program hasn’t has a winning
year since 1996’s 10-2 season, and,
along with reversing their five-game losing
streak to Navy, fans are just eager for
their soldiers to finish over .500. Heck,
for a program that has won three national
titles, a winning record shouldn’t
be too much to deliver. That sounds good,
but a new, unestablished coach and a roster
that reflects more character than raw talent
likely mean another year before Army can
win more than they lose.

Inconsistencies
throughout the entire offense are a huge reason
why Stan Brock was elevated (from OL coach) to
become the 35th head coach at West Point. And
the man Brock turns to now is Tim Walsh, the envelope-pushing
offensive mind that will lead the Cadets into
their newest era. Also the quarterbacks coach,
Walsh will initiate the latest offensive sets
(spread), but his signal-callers need to step
up if the innovations are to take hold. Carson
Williams is one of only six QBs in school history
to start as a freshman, and his showing in the
last four games – all starts - proves that
he offers Army its best chance to win (he went
0-4, but got little help defensively). Williams
showed signs of brilliance and learned well from
those experiences. Senior David Pevoto isn’t
a poor hurler either, but his development seems
stagnant, whereas Williams’ upside has yet
to be realized. Neither is a prolific runner,
though, Pevoto will get yards in situations when
the sophomore can’t. The new offensive look
will likely mean both get their shots on gameday
to see who fits best, and whoever can ‘wow’
coaches first will likely be assured of half a
seasons worth of starts to see if they can expand
into the role. If neither can do such, it will
be another long season on the Hudson. Running
the ball was one thing this team did with moderate
success in 2006. Wesley McMahand may only be 5’5,
but he squirts through holes effectively as he
ducks bigger tacklers and uses his stout stature
to break arm tackles. He is led through holes
by Mike Viti, an oft-used fullback who is just
as important to the rushing attack as McMahand.
Tony Moore is a hybrid bigger back who can also
burn once he sees open field. The Black Knights
ran it 124 more times than they threw it last
year, but that number could be reversed in the
new approach if there are struggles on the ground.
The line sees only senior Trey Miranne return
at center; otherwise, all major starters are lost.
Mike Lemming saw time at left tackle (even started
twice) last year, but he seems better suited for
the other side, which he now occupies. The only
other development worth noting is Brandon Cox
being passed at left tackle by senior vet Ray
Zelenak. Cox slides into the open left guard slot,
instead. Otherwise, similar to how it is at the
other service academies, the line will be lighter,
more athletic, and a perfect fit with their increased
mobility for the new offensive…that is,
if they can come together as a unit, something
that occurred less often than needed last year.
The tight ends, led by Justin Larson, will see
their production expand, so he and Mike Evans,
both prototypically built for speed more than
for size, can open up the deep middle. That is
where All-American Jeremy Trimble will find more
room to operate. His numbers reflect the modest
passing approach practiced here up until now,
but one must consider his staggering stats as
a punt returner to realize the moves this kid
has when they can get him the ball. Soph Damion
Hunter is a smaller receiver who has shot into
the other starting slot past 6’2 junior
Mike Wright and senior Corey Anderson, so his
promise speaks for itself. Still, all of these
snarlers should expand their production under
Walsh. Brock doesn’t want to do anything
more than “subtle changes” to the
offense already in place. But with many of the
same personnel, that isn’t likely to change
their recent results, so we think that once Walsh’s
innovations prove more productive, they will be
all the rage.

FB
Mike Viti

ARMY
2007 DEPTH CHARTReturning Starters in bold

OFFENSE

QB

David
Pevoto-Sr (6-4, 213)

Carson
Williams-So (6-3, 210)

FB

Mike
Viti-Sr (5-10, 242)

Collin
Mooney-Jr (5-10, 236)

RB

Wesley
McMahand-Jr (5-5, 177)

Tony
Moore-So (6-0, 228)

WR

Damion
Hunter-So (5-10, 166)

Elliott
Emerich-Sr (6-3, 198)

WR

Jeremy
Trimble-Sr (6-0, 219)

Mike
Wright-Jr (6-2, 204)

TE

Justin
Larson-Sr (6-5, 228)

Mike
Evans-Jr (6-1, 238)

OT

Ray
Zelenak-Sr (6-2, 256)

Mike
Schumacher-Jr (6-2, 266)

OG

Brandon
Cox-Jr (6-3, 297)

John
Keller-Jr (6-2, 301)

C

Trey
Miranne-Sr (6-0, 273)

Seth
Fabin-Jr (6-1, 294)

OG

Connor
Wicklund-Sr (6-3, 284)

Richard
Miller-Sr (6-3, 266)

OT

Mike
Lemming-Jr (6-3, 281)

Joe
Muldoon-So (6-6, 282)

K

Owen
Tolson-Sr (6-2, 201)

Adam
DeMarco-Jr (5-9, 182)

2007
DEFENSE

Though
not spectacular by any means, Army’s 79th
ranking for total effort means there is much on
this side of scrimmage upon which to build. Their
115th ranking for run defense is a concern while
their No.7 pass defense needs attention, too,
since it only earned a 91st ranking for efficiency.
That means when opposing QBs do pass, they succeed
at it. Still, why pass it when you can run –
that’s the approach foes will continue to
take until Army stops this kind of basic attack.
Vic Ugenyi offers the same promise now-departed
Cameron Craig did at end, though Craig’s
17 tackles-for-loss are something for which Ugenyi
will have to strive and this line will miss. Brandon
Thompson started the last three games, and his
nine tackles versus Air Force prove he can produce
against the run. But the key to the line has to
be tackle Tony Fusco – at 303 pounds and
the team’s sixth-leading tackler, the Watertown
(CT) native outweighs the next biggest Cadet defensive
lineman by 40 pounds and demands double-teams.
Fellow insider John Wright is a proven sub who
now starts at the other tackle spot, so it is
just a matter of organization and familiarity
before this line can make up for lost time. More
pressure/sacks is/are a must if this line is to
give the DBs a chance in coverage. But with coordinator
John Mumford still in charge of the DL, improvements
up front are waiting-to-be-seen since they haven’t
really taken a corner yet under his tutelage.
The linebackers supplied the team’s top
two tacklers, but both left. 6’3 Charlie
Lockwood is the corps’ lone returning starter
on the strongside, though, both new starters were
the backups at their respective spots. Frank Scappaticci
had the best spring of the three and plays a rough,
downhill style suited well for bolstering run
support. Senior MIKE Brian Chmura seems a bit
small for his position, but his efforts have proven
otherwise at times. This unit may take a while
to come together, if they even do. They are the
key to making the defense better, so follow their
production to see if the Cadets can step up their
stopping prowess. The backfield starts all seniors.
The top candidates at safety battled tough times
and injuries in 2006 and only started two games
together, but Caleb Campbell and Jordan Murray
offer great promise if they can stay healthy and
play together more. Campbell is a hybrid LB who
is suited well for SS, while Jordan proved himself
by finishing seventh in tackles while playing
in only six games. Both were limited this spring
(Campbell sat out fully) due to injury, but their
return at full strength is expected. Dennis Cooper
is a bit small, but his efforts in place of Jordan
were admirable and give experience to the depth.
The corners lose one starter, but nickel/reserve
John Laird fills in after finishing as the team’s
top tackler at that position. Appropriately, he
is the new starter at ‘field’ corner
where he will have to cover the inside guy(s),
while Kevin Opoku remains at ‘boundary’
corner as a purer cover type on the outside. Depth
here is shaky, at best, and save Mario Hill, the
size drop-off has to be a concern at the I-A level.
Also of concern is how the DBs only earned four
interceptions but allowed a 62% completion rate.
Secondary coach Wally Ake has his work cut out,
and after four seasons here, he (along with Mumford)
have to be held accountable in this new era if
the pass defense here again struggles when needed
most. No matter how bad they seemed, the Cadet’s
D only allowed five foes to go over the 30 point
mark, holding five to 21 points or less. Such
results show they can put 60 minutes of play together
with effective results. Just like on offense,
consistency becomes the issue.

DB
Caleb Campbell

ARMY
2007 DEPTH CHARTReturning Starters in bold

DEFENSE

DE

Brandon
Thompson-Sr (6-3, 261)

David
Shore-Jr (6-5, 240)

DT

John
Wright-Sr (6-1, 259)

Ted
Bentler-So (6-3, 251)

DT

Tony
Fusco-Sr (6-1, 303)

Mike
Gann-So (6-2, 250)

DE

Victor
Ugenyi-So (6-3, 262)

Elliott
Antoine-Jr (6-0, 265)

SLB

Charlie
Rockwood-Sr (6-3, 228)

John
Plumstead-Jr (5-10, 217)

MLB

Brian
Chmura-Sr (6-0, 224)

Arlance
Jenkins-Jr (5-10, 217)

WLB

Frank
Scappaticci-Jr (6-1, 222)

Antoine
Johnson-So (5-9, 227)

CB

John
Laird-Sr (5-10, 185)

Josh
Mitchell-Jr (5-9, 169)

CB

Kevin
Opoku-Sr (5-11, 183)

Mario
Hill-So (6-0, 176)

SS

Caleb
Campbell-Sr (6-2, 224)

Ryan
Brence-Sr (6-1, 207)

FS

Jordan
Murray-Sr (6-0, 204)

Dennis
Cooper-Sr (5-11, 187)

P

Owen
Tolson-Sr (6-2, 201)

Andrew
Rinehart-Jr (6-1, 214)

2007
SPECIAL TEAMS

Owen
Tolson has assumed the kicking duties after his solid
showing as the Cadet punter. His punts were both long
and controlled, and his prep career says that he should
do fine at PK (75% completion with a long of 53 yards).
Oh, and he can lay the wood on opposing return men with
his abilities as a safety, and he can make fakes work
with his worthy arm. Trimble was ranked second in the
nation for punt runbacks, and Corey Anderson is an adequate
compliment at kick returning. Fusco had four of the
team’s six blocked kicks – add it all up,
and you see why these areas being positives give a marginal
team like this a HUGE (and needed) advantage on special
teams.